FR3071484A1 - TUB FILLING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which makes it possible to simultaneously fill several cups (12) which are arranged in several rows and rows on a support plate (20), the filling device also comprising at least one vibratory plate (36). ) positioned above the support plate (20), configured to dump popcorn into the cups (12) of at least one row, and at least one popcorn supply (38) positioned above the tray vibrator (36) configured to dump popcorn onto the vibrating tray (36).

Description

CUP FILLING DEVICE

The present application relates to a device for filling cups.

In theaters and cinemas, popcorn is generally sold in cups which can have a pyramidal, truncated and inverted shape.

The popcorn is usually packaged in large bags beforehand. Therefore, an operator must pour the popcorn bags into a large bin and fill the cups one by one.

To keep them at temperature, the filled cups can be stored on the shelves of a temperature maintenance cabinet. In this case, the operator must, after filling them, position the cups one by one on the shelves.

These cup filling and storage operations are relatively long, tedious and cause repetitive gestures.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for filling cups which is characterized in that it comprises:

at least one support plate configured to support cups arranged in several lines, oriented in a transverse direction and several rows oriented in a longitudinal direction, a frame configured to support a support plate, at least one vibrating plate positioned above the support plate , configured to pour popcorn into the cups of at least one row, and at least one popcorn feed positioned above the vibrating tray, configured to pour popcorn on the vibrating tray.

This solution simplifies filling and makes this operation less long and tedious. According to the invention, several cups are filled simultaneously. Finally, the support plate facilitates the handling of the cups and their possible storage in a temperature maintenance cabinet.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filling device which illustrates an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cup support tray which illustrates an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic section of a filling device which illustrates an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross section of the filling device which illustrates in detail the longitudinal deflectors,

FIG. 5A is a longitudinal section of a part of the filling device which illustrates in detail transverse deflectors according to a first configuration, and FIG. 5B is a longitudinal section of a part of the filling device which illustrates in detail transverse deflectors according to a second configuration.

In Figures 1 and 3, there is shown a filling device 10 for popcorn cups 12.

According to an embodiment visible in Figure 2, each cup has a pyramidal shape, truncated and inverted. Thus, each cup 12 has a square or rectangular bottom 14, four side walls 16.1 to 16.4 connected together in pairs, each of them being connected to one of the sides of the bottom 14. The cup 12 comprises, in the upper part , an opening 18 delimited by the upper edges of the side walls 16.1 to 16.4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the filling device can be used to fill different formats of cups ranging from 12.1 for the smallest, visible in FIG. 5A, up to 12.4 for the largest, visible in FIG. 5B . By way of example, four formats of cups 12.1 to 12.4 have been illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Of course, the invention is not limited to this number of formats.

From one format to another, the volume of the cup 12 increases. Thus, it can go from a volume of the order of 60 cl to 200 cl. At the same time, from one format to another, the height of the cup varies from 10 cm to 50 cm and its section from 8x8 cm to 20x20 cm.

Even if it can be used to fill different sizes of cups, the filling device of the invention can only fill one size of cups during the same filling sequence.

The filling device 10 comprises at least one support plate 20 on which are positioned several cups 12 arranged in several lines 22.1 to 22.5 oriented in a first direction called transverse direction and in several rows 24.1 to 24.3 oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and called longitudinal direction.

According to the example illustrated in Figure 2, the support plate 20 comprises several cups of the same format, arranged in five lines and three rows. According to an important point of the invention, the cups 12 are attached to each other on each support plate 20 so that their openings are contiguous and that there remains no space or a tiny space (in all cases less than the dimension of a popcorn) between the upper edges of the side walls of the adjacent cups.

For the same filling device, the support plates 20 all have the same dimensions. By way of example and without limitation, the support plate 20 has a length (dimension taken in the longitudinal direction) between 50 and 150 cm and a width (dimension taken in the transverse direction) between 30 and 100 cm .

Each support plate 20 includes:

an approximately rectangular plate 26 which has an upper surface 26S on which the cups 12 are placed, left and right side angles 28.1, 28.2, projecting from the upper surface 26S, positioned on the oriented edges of the plate 26 in the transverse direction,

A longitudinal angle 30, projecting from the upper surface 26S, positioned on one of the edges of the plate 26 oriented in the longitudinal direction, which connects the left and right side angles 28.1 and 28.2

At least one intermediate angle 32, and generally several intermediate angles 32, parallel to the transverse direction, which extend from one edge to the other of the plate 26, regularly distributed between the left and right side angles 28.1, 28.2 of which the number varies depending on the size of the cups 12.

Thus, the intermediate angles 32 and lateral left and right 28.1, 28.2 define between them several lines of cups. The spacing between said angles 28.1, 28.2 and 32 is identical for the same support plate 20, being determined as a function of the format of the cups 12 supported by the support plate 20. In parallel, the number of intermediate angles 32 varies according to the format goblets. For a given format, the support plate 20 comprises four intermediate angles to delimit five lines, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or eight intermediate angles 32 to delimit nine lines, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal angle 30 and the left and right side angles 28.1 and 28.2 are vertical and planar. The intermediate angles 32 each have a T section. According to one configuration, the upper wings of the T have a bevel shape at the end opposite the longitudinal angle 30. In parallel, the leg of the T of the intermediate angles 32 and the left and right side angles 28.1 and 28.2 have a bevel shape at their ends opposite to the longitudinal angle 30. These bevel shapes favor the introduction of the cups, between the angles 28.1, 28.2 and 32, which are pushed up 'to come into abutment against the longitudinal angle 30.

The height (dimension taken in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 26S) of the intermediate angles 32, right and left side 28.1 and 28.2 is determined so as to maintain the cups and prevent them from tilting. More generally, the intermediate angles 32, right and left side 28.1 and 28.2 are configured to limit the risks of tipping of the cups 12.

The longitudinal angle 30 can have the same height as the other angles. It may have a higher height so as to provide a longitudinal deflector function, as will be explained later.

The filling device comprises a frame 34 configured to support a support plate 20, at least one vibrating plate 36 positioned above the support plate 20 in operation, configured to pour popcorn into the cups of at least one row and at least one popcorn supply 38 positioned above the vibrating plate 36, configured to pour popcorn on the vibrating plate 36.

According to one embodiment, the chassis 34 comprises a belt formed by four side walls, two left and right side walls 40.1 and 40.2 parallel to the transverse direction and two front and rear side walls 42.1 and 42.2 parallel to the longitudinal direction.

The left and right side walls 40.1, 40.2 are spaced a distance slightly greater than the length of the support plate 20 and the front and rear side walls 42.1, 42.2 are spaced a distance slightly greater than the width of the support plate 20. Thus, when a support plate 20 is positioned inside the frame 34, the side walls 40.1, 40.2, 42.1 and 42.2 are arranged all around the support plate 20, and consequently around the cups 12 positioned on the support plate 20 .

According to a first variant visible in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the support plate 20 is placed on slides integral with the chassis 34 so that it can translate in a horizontal plane in a direction parallel to the transverse direction. By way of example, each left and right side wall 40.1, 40.2 comprises a horizontal slide 43, fixed to the interior face of each left and right side wall 40.1, 40.2 (visible in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

According to a second variant, the device comprises a drawer 90 connected to the frame 34 by slides allowing the drawer 90 to translate in a horizontal plane in a direction parallel to the transverse direction. This drawer 90 comprises a substantially flat surface on which the support plate 20 rests. According to this second variant, the drawer 90 is always secured to the frame 34.

In addition, the front side wall 42.1 of the frame 34 includes an opening 44 which extends from the left side wall 40.1 to the right side wall 40.2 and which is dimensioned to allow the introduction of the support plate 20 into the frame 34. The drawer 90 or the slides 43 is (are) positioned (s) in the lower part of the opening 44 which has a height allowing the introduction of the support plate 20 loaded with cups 12.4 having the largest format.

The chassis 34 comprises in the lower part a lower opening and in the upper part an upper opening which are delimited by the side walls 40.1, 40.2, 42.1 and 42.2. According to one configuration, the lower opening comprises a grid 46 which closes it off, the mesh of the grid 46 being configured to let the popcorn pass.

According to one configuration, the frame 34 includes feet 48 for positioning the grid 46 in height. Positioning the frame 34 in height makes it possible to have a support plate 20 at breast height, which facilitates its handling.

According to this configuration, the filling device 10 can comprise a collecting tank 50 positioned under the grid 46. The collecting tank 50 is dimensioned to recover the popcorn which would not fall into the cups 12. Preferably, this collecting tank recovery 50 is mobile and therefore includes wheels.

The vibrating plate 36 includes:

a plate 52 which has a smooth upper surface 52S, of rectangular shape which has front and rear edges 54.1 and 54.2 and right and left edges 56, right and left side angles 58 projecting from the upper surface 52S, positioned at the right and left edges 56, which extends from the front edge 54.1 to the rear edge 54.2, a rear angle 60 projecting from the upper surface 52S, positioned at the rear edge 54.2, which extends from the edge left to right edge.

The lateral and rear angles 58, 60 have a determined height to retain the popcorn. By way of example, the lateral and rear angles 58, 60 have a height of between 2 and 6 cm.

According to this configuration, the popcorn can flow along the front edge 54.1.

This front edge 54.1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction and spaced from the front wall 42.1 of the chassis 34.

The distance between the front edge 54.1 of the vibrating plate 36 and the front wall 42.1 of the frame 34 is less than the side, oriented in the transverse direction, of the opening 18 of a cup 12.1 having the smallest format. Thus, whatever the format of the cups 12, the popcorn falls into the cups 12 of the row positioned inside the frame 34 and which adjoins the front wall 42.1 of the frame 34.

The plate 52 of the vibrating plate 36 is inclined in the direction of the front edge 54.1. Thus, in a transverse plane, the plate 52 forms, with the horizontal direction, an angle greater than 2 ° and between 2 ° and 15 °.

To give an order of magnitude and without limitation, the plate 52 of the vibrating plate 36 has a length identical, or slightly less, to the length of the support plate 20. The width of the plate 52 of the vibrating plate 36 is approximately identical to the width of the support plate 20.

The vibrating plate 36 includes a vibration system 62 such as an unbalance motor.

To generate vibrations over the entire vibrating plate 36 and in order to cause the popcorn to flow over the entire length of the front edge 54.1, the vibrating plate 36 comprises a rigid and metallic spar 64 which is fixed under the plate 52 and interposed between the vibration system 62 and the plate 52, the spar 64 extending over almost the entire length of the plate 52. This solution makes it possible to transmit the vibrations emitted by the vibration system 62 over the entire length of the plate 52.

According to one configuration, the vibration system 62 is positioned equidistant from the right and left edges 56, at the rear edge 54.2, in order to promote the transmission of vibrations over the entire length of the plate 52.

According to one embodiment, the vibrating plate 36 is connected to the chassis 34 by a connection configured to filter vibrations, for example by interposing blocks of elastic material (elastomer for example) between the vibrating plate 36 and the chassis 34.

The popcorn supply 38 includes a hopper 66 positioned above the vibrating plate 36 which has a lower opening at the level of which the popcorn flows by gravity. This hopper 66 is generally connected to the chassis 34 by a rigid link.

The lower opening of the hopper 66 is separated from the upper surface 52S of the plate 52 of the vibrating plate 36 by a distance of the order of 3 to 10 cm. This solution allows automatic popcorn flow from the hopper 66 to the vibrating plate 36.

According to one embodiment, the hopper 66 comprises a movable hatch configured to close the lower opening of the hopper 66. This hatch is in the form of a plate which slides in an approximately horizontal plane between a closed position in which it completely closes the lower opening of the hopper and more or less open positions in which the hatch at least partially releases the lower opening of the hopper.

In addition, the hopper 66 comprises an upper opening which is closed by a cowling which has an orifice closed by a movable flap between a closed position in which the flap closes the orifice and an open position in which the flap releases the orifice and allows the filling of the hopper.

When the shutter and the hatch are in the closed position, the popcorn is stored in a closed enclosure which can be heated.

According to one embodiment, the hopper 66 has a pyramidal, truncated and inverted shape. It has a length less than the vibrating plate 36. The hopper 66 is offset towards the rear edge 54.2 of the plate 52 of the vibrating plate 36 so as to allow the popcorn to be distributed evenly over the entire length of the front edge 54.1 from plate 52.

The cup filling device is configured to propagate the vibrations emitted by the vibration system 62 to the hopper 66 which is thus subjected to vibrations.

The filling device 10 makes it possible to be able to fill different formats of cups.

For this purpose, the distance separating the vibrating plate 36 and the drawer 90 or the slides 43 is determined so that the cups 12.4 having the largest format pass through the opening 44 under the vibrating plate 36.

The opening 44 includes a front flap 68 which is connected to the rest of the front side wall

42.1, more particularly at the upper edge of the opening 44, by a pivoting link such as a hinge 70. This front flap 68 has a length substantially equal to the length of the opening 44 and a height (distance between the hinge 70 and the free edge 72 of the front flap) determined so that the free edge 72 slightly covers the side wall of the cup 12.1 having the smallest format, positioned on the support plate 20.

This front flap 68 performs the function of a longitudinal deflector and makes it possible to prevent the popcorn from coming out, via the opening 44, during filling.

In addition to this front flap 68, for the support plates 20 provided for small cups or intermediate formats, the longitudinal angle 30 of the support plate 20 (visible in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4) or a rear plate 92 of the drawer 90 (visible in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3) has a height substantially equal to the height of the cups 12.4 having the largest format. Thus, when filling the last rows of cups, the longitudinal angle 30 or the rear plate 92 performs the function of a longitudinal deflector in order to prevent the popcorn from falling outside the cups.

At least one of the left and right side walls 40.1, 40.2 of the frame 34 comprises at least one deflector which extends over the entire width of the side walls 40.1, 40.2.

According to one configuration, each left and right side wall comprises at least one fixed deflector 74 and at least one movable deflector 76.

Each fixed deflector 74 comprises a plate rigidly connected to the left or right side wall which has an upper edge connected to said side wall and a lower edge spaced from the side wall and offset towards the center of the frame.

According to an embodiment visible in FIGS. 5A and 5B, each left or right side wall comprises a first fixed deflector 74, positioned just above the cups 12.1 having the smallest format, and a second fixed deflector 74 'positioned just at the - above 12.2 cups having an intermediate format just larger than the smallest.

For each movable deflector 76, each left and right side wall 40.1, 40.2 has an opening 78 which extends over almost the entire width of the side walls 40.1 and 40.2 and which has an approximately rectangular shape.

The movable deflector 76 comprises a flap 80 connected to the lower edge of the opening 78 by a pivoting connection such as a hinge 82. The flap 80 is movable between an extended position in which it projects inwards from the chassis 34 relative to the side wall

40.1, 40.2, as illustrated in FIG. 5A and a retracted position in which it is no longer projecting towards the inside of the chassis 34 relative to the side wall 40.1, 40.2, as illustrated in FIG. 5B.

When the movable deflectors 76 are in the retracted position, the filling device is configured to fill the cups 12.4 having the largest format.

When in the extended position, the filling device is configured to fill cups 12.3 having an intermediate size just smaller than the largest size. The opening 78 is positioned so that its lower edge is positioned just above the cups 12.3 having an intermediate format just smaller than the largest format.

According to one embodiment, the flap 80 has an approximately triangular section, one of the vertices being connected to the hinge 82 and the opposite side 84 forming the deflector in the extended position. At least one of the sides adjacent to the top connected to the hinge 82 comprises an extension 86 capable of bearing against the left or right side wall

40.1, 40.2. According to one configuration, each side adjacent to the top comprises an extension 86, 86 ', a first extension 86 bearing against the outside face of the left or right side wall in the extended position and a second extension 86' bearing against the inside face of the left or right side wall in the retracted position.

The operating principle of the filling device is now described:

Firstly, the cups 12 of the same format are positioned on a support plate 20 adapted to this format of cups by sliding them between the intermediate angles 32 and the left and right side angles 28.1, 28.2. Prior to its introduction into the filling device, the support plate 20 must be complete.

Following, the front flap 68 being in the open position and clearing the opening 44, the support plate 20 is introduced into the filling device by positioning it on the runners 43 and sliding it until the support plate 20 comes into abutment against the rear side wall 42.2 of the chassis 34. The front flap 68 is then folded down in the closed position.

Depending on the size of the cups, there may remain a space between the cups and the side walls 40.1, 40.2, 42.1, 42.2 of the frame 34. The deflectors 74, 76 make it possible to prevent the popcorn from passing through this space. Depending on the cup format, the mobile deflectors 76 are positioned in the extended or retracted position.

Optionally, the support plate 20 is moved so that the first row of cups, which adjoins the front wall 42.1 of the frame 34 comes into contact against said front wall 42.1 or the front flap 68.

From then on, filling can begin. The hopper 66 is filled with popcorn which flows on the vibrating plate 36. To cause the popcorn to flow, the vibration system 62 is put into operation. The popcorn automatically distributes itself above all the vibrating plate 36 and flows over the entire length of the front edge 54.1 of the vibrating plate 36 in all the cups in the first row. As soon as the cups of the first row are filled, the support plate 20 is translated so as to position the cups of the second row under the front edge 54.1 of the vibrating plate 36, as illustrated in the figure

3. As soon as the cups of the second row are filled, the support plate 20 is again translated to place the cups of the third row under the front edge 54.1 of the vibrating plate 36. Successively the cups of the different rows are positioned under the edge before 54.1 of the vibrating plate 36 in order to be filled.

The movement of the support plate 20 can be manual or mechanized.

When all the cups of the support tray 20 are filled, the latter is removed from the filling device and can be replaced by a new support tray which will have been previously loaded with cups.

The support plate 20 loaded with filled cups can then be placed on a shelf of a temperature maintenance cabinet.

According to one configuration, the filling device can be associated with a service which includes an enclosure in which several support trays 20 loaded with filled cups 12 can be superposed. The enclosure can be equipped with heating means to keep the popcorn in temperature. This service is used to transport simultaneously and safely several support trays 20 loaded with filled cups to a sales display.

The filling device simplifies the filling operation of the cups and makes it faster and less tedious. In addition, the use of a support plate 20 simplifies the handling of empty or filled cups.

Although described applied to cups with a quadrilateral section, the invention is in no way limited to this form of cups.

The cups may have a circular section and the cup openings may not be contiguous. Thus, there may be spaces between the openings of the cups.

In this case, the support plate 20 comprises a cover, positioned just above the cups, which is in the form of a plate provided with holes arranged in the same way as the cups, said holes being arranged above the cups and having diameters very slightly smaller than those of the cup openings.

Claims (13)

1. Device for filling cups (12) which have upper edges which define an opening (18), characterized in that the filling device comprises: at least one support plate (20) configured to support cups (12) arranged in several lines (22.1 to 22.5) oriented in a transverse direction and several rows (24.1 to 24.3) oriented in a longitudinal direction, a frame (34) configured for supporting a support plate (20), at least one vibrating plate (36) positioned above the support plate (20), configured to pour popcorn into the cups (12) of at least one row, and at least a popcorn supply (38) positioned above the vibrating plate (36), configured to pour popcorn on the vibrating plate (36). 2. Filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that each support plate (20) comprises: an approximately rectangular plate (26), which has an upper surface (26S), left and right lateral angles (28.1, 28.2), projecting from the upper surface (26S), positioned on the edges of the plate (26 ) oriented in the transverse direction, A longitudinal angle (30), projecting from the upper surface (26S), positioned on one of the edges of the plate (26) oriented in the longitudinal direction, which connects the left and right side angles (28.1, 28.2 ), several intermediate angles (32) parallel to the transverse direction, which extend from one edge to the other of the plate (26), the intermediate and lateral angles left and right (28.1, 28.2, 32) being separated of an identical distance for the same support plate (20) and being configured to limit the risks of tipping of the cups (12). 3. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis (34) comprises a belt formed by two left and right side walls (40.1, 40.2) parallel to the transverse direction and two front and rear side walls (42.1, 42.2) parallel to the longitudinal direction, said belt being configured to surround the support plate (20) introduced into the frame (34), the front wall (42.1) comprising an opening (44) sized to allow the introduction of a support plate (20) loaded with cups (12) in the chassis (34). 4. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vibrating plate (36) comprises: a plate (52) which has a smooth upper surface (52S), of rectangular shape which has front and rear edges (54.1, 54.2) and right and left edges (56), a vibration system 62, the front edge ( 54.1) and the front wall (42.1) of the frame (34) being separated by a distance less than the side of the opening (18) of a cup 12.1 having the smallest format. 5. Filling device according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the opening (44) comprises a front flap (68) which is connected to the upper edge of the opening (44) by a pivoting connection and which has a height determined so that the free edge (72) of the front flap (68) slightly covers the side wall of the cup having the smallest size and positioned on the support plate (20). 6. Filling device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the left and right side walls (40.1, 40.2) comprises at least one deflector. 7. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each left and right side wall (40.1, 40.2) comprises at least one fixed deflector (74) and at least one movable deflector (76). 8. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, for each movable deflector (76), each left and right side wall (40.1, 40.2) comprises an opening (78) and in that the movable deflector (76) comprises a flap (80) connected to the lower edge of the opening (78) by a pivoting connection and which is movable between an extended position in which it projects inwards from the chassis (34) relative to the side wall (40.1, 40.2) and a retracted position in which the flap (80) does not project towards the inside of the frame (34) relative to the side wall (40.1, 40.2). 9. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vibrating plate (36) comprises: • - a plate (52) which has a smooth upper surface (52S), of rectangular shape which has front and rear edges (54.1, 54.2) and right and left edges (56), right and left side angles (58 ) projecting from the upper surface (52S), positioned at the right and left edges (56), which extends from the front edge (54.1) to the rear edge (54.2), a rear angle (60) projecting with respect to the upper surface (52S), positioned at the rear edge (54.2), which extends from the left edge to the right edge (56), a vibration system (62) positioned equidistant from the right and left edges ( 56) and at the rear edge (54.2). 10. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vibrating plate (36) comprises a metal and rigid spar (64) which is fixed under the plate (52) and interposed between the vibration system (62) and the plate (52), the beam 64 extending over almost the entire length of the plate (52). 11. Filling device according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the plate (52) of the vibrating plate (36) is inclined towards the front edge (54.1). 12. Filling device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the longitudinal angle (30) of the support plate (20) has a height substantially equal to the height of the cups having the largest format. 13. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the popcorn supply (38) comprises a hopper (66) which has a lower opening separated from the vibrating plate (36) by a distance of around 3 to 10 cm.